🔗 Share this article

The disputed, American and Israeli-supported Gaza relief foundation says it is winding down its relief activities in the affected area, subsequent to approximately 180 days.

The group had previously halted its three food distribution sites in Gaza subsequent to the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel came into force in recent weeks.

The organization attempted to bypass the UN as the main supplier of humanitarian assistance to Gazans.

International relief agencies refused to co-operate with its methodology, saying it was questionable and hazardous.

Hundreds of Palestinians were fatally wounded while trying to acquire nourishment amid turbulent circumstances near the foundation's locations, primarily from Israeli forces, based on UN documentation.

The Israeli military claimed its troops fired warning shots.

Mission Completion

The foundation announced on the beginning of the week that it was winding down operations now because of the "successful completion of its crisis response", with a total of three million packages containing the corresponding to over 187 million food portions distributed to Gazans.

The GHF's executive director, Jon Acree, additionally stated the United States-operated coordination body - which has been established to help implement the American administration's Gaza initiative - would be "taking over and developing the system the foundation tested".

"GHF's model, in which Hamas could no longer loot and profit from stealing aid, was significantly influential in getting Hamas to the table and securing a halt in hostilities."

Comments and Positions

Hamas - which denies stealing aid - supported the shutdown of the aid organization, based on information.

A spokesman for declared GHF should be subject to scrutiny for the harm it caused to Palestinians.

"We urge all worldwide humanitarian bodies to ensure that it does not escape accountability after resulting in fatalities and harm of thousands of Gazans and concealing the starvation policy implemented by the Israeli government."

Foundation History

The GHF began operations in Gaza on May 26th, a seven days following Israeli authorities had somewhat relaxed a total blockade on relief and commercial goods to Gaza that continued for 77 days and resulted in critical deficits of vital resources.

Three months later, a food crisis was announced in Gaza City.

The foundation's nourishment distribution centers in the southern and middle regions of Gaza were managed by US private security contractors and located inside areas controlled by Israeli forces.

Relief Agency Issues

The UN and its partners said the approach violated the basic relief guidelines of neutrality, impartiality and independence, and that guiding distressed residents into armed forces regions was intrinsically hazardous.

International human rights monitoring body stated it documented the killing of at least 859 Palestinians seeking food in the area surrounding organization centers between spring and summer months.

Another 514 people were fatally wounded around the routes of UN and other aid convoys, it further stated.

Most of them were killed by the Israeli forces, according to the office.

Conflicting Accounts

Israeli defense forces claimed its soldiers had discharged cautionary rounds at people who approached them in a "threatening" way.

The GHF said there were no shooting events at the distribution centers and alleged that United Nations of using "untrue and confusing" figures from the Palestinian health authority administered by Hamas.

Subsequent Developments

The GHF's future had been uncertain since militant groups and the Israeli government approved a halt in hostilities arrangement to carry out the initial stage of the United States' reconciliation proposal.

It said relief provision would take place "without interference from the involved factions through the United Nations and its agencies, and the humanitarian medical organization, in combination with other global organizations not associated in any manner" with Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities.

United Nations representative Stephane Dujarric said on Monday that the GHF's shutdown would have "no impact" on its operations "because we never worked with them".

The official further mentioned that while more aid was getting into Gaza since the ceasefire took effect on early October, it was "inadequate to meet all the needs" of the over two million inhabitants.